This walking guide is inspired by French poet Charles Baudelaire’s concept of the flaneur - The guide includes spots which bring the sights and sounds of Paris to the streets of Liverpool.

It’s no secret that Paris is a city for food-lovers. Mention of the French capital conjures up images of buttery pastries, decadent macarons in every flavour, the finest selection of cheeses and so on… Luckily for us, with the ever-growing independent food scene here in Liverpool offering up a variety of cuisines from around the world, we can enjoy the crème de la crème of French cuisine without ever having to cross the Channel.

1. Where is the best boulangerie in Liverpool?

Artisane is an authentic French boulangerie-pâtisserie looks to have been taken straight from the streets of Paris, with its mountains of fresh pastries quickly being snapped up by eager customers each morning. Expect to find everything from the classic croissant, to fresh baguettes and delicately crafted desserts. Come early to avoid leaving empty-handed!

2. How to practice French with native speakers in Liverpool?

Order food in French in this cozy French restaurant in Liverpool. Caveau is a cosy, intimate restaurant that serves up the finest French food with only the freshest produce. Its quintessentially French menu includes the likes of French onion soup and coq au vin and crème brulée.

3. Which green spaces in Liverpool are like gardens in Paris?

Reynolds Park, Woolton, A calm green space in the heart of Woolton, comparable to the likes of the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Tuileries gardens in Paris. Featuring a beautiful walled garden and woodland areas, this hidden park is the perfect picnic spot.

Camp Hill and Calderstones Park, Another detour through two more of Liverpool’s beautiful green spaces. Reaching the top of Camp Hill, you will get a lovely panoramic view over much of Liverpool, much like the one you might enjoy at the Parc des Buttes Chaumont – an often overlooked gem in north-eastern Paris. Make your way over to Calderstones Park to enjoy the Japanese and old-English gardens or refuel at the park café.

4. Where to find real French cheese in Liverpool?

Speaking of picnics, no Parisian picnic is complete without a selection of cheeses. Luckily, the Liverpool Cheese Co has a selection of the finest French cheeses – Camembert, Comté, Morbier, Tomme etc.

5. What is the best French wine?

Oddbins, is a local wine merchant in Allerton selling a wide selection of quality French wines.

6. Why do Parisians like to buy fresh local produce?

Fresh, seasonal produce is a big deal for many Parisian families, which explains why you can find a greengrocer in nearly every street in the city. This family run business sources fresh local produce year-round, which you can also order for home delivery. Groceries shopping like a Parisian at Adam’s Apple.

7. What do the famous falafel sandwiches found on Rue des Rosiers taste like?

Maray, Liverpool’s answer to the famous falafel sandwiches found on Rue des Rosiers in the Le Marais neighbourhood of Paris, Maray also serves a delicious selection of food inspired by Middle Eastern flavours. Grab a sandwich on the go or order some of their small dishes to take home.

Take a walk and visit all the places mentioned above click on this Strava walking route and find all the addresses on this Google map of addresses.

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À bientôt! 

This Blog post was written by Abbie O - a French graduate who gained a First Class Honours in BA French Studies. She has collaborated with us since last September, looking to explore different career paths within languages before her Master's degree in Linguistics starting in September this year. She has contributed to putting together resources for French language learners that are included in our free D.I.Y language learning guide and she has now put together this amazing Blog Post 'Balade Parisienne' - a walking route that includes a few of her favourite places in Liverpool that remind her of Paris (bakeries, parks, viewpoints etc). What a great way to share her love of the French language and culture. Leave your comments for Abbie and her amazing work :)